I got to know Jamaican singer-songwriter and guitarist Val
Bent (born Rupert Valentine Bent) while producing the Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk & Reggae 1967-1974
compilation for Light in the Attic around 2004-5. He was back in Jamaica after living
in Canada for many years, where he laid down some of the toughest soul and funk
records this country has ever produced. Bent came to Toronto, Ontario, as a
musician with the Sheiks in 1964, and decided to stay despite our chilly
winters, a far cry the Jamaican sun. He became an important musical member of
the city’s growing Caribbean community and a mentor to many young players. The
Sheiks became the house band for Club Jamaica on Toronto’s busy Yonge Street, which
acted as a second home to Bent. Manager Fitz Riley would cook up curry chicken
for the patrons and musicians, which reminded Bent of his Jamaican roots. It
was here that he first met another young Jamaican immigrant, Earle Heedram (aka
The Mighty Pope), who quickly became the new lead vocalist for the Sheiks. Bent
was knocked away by Heedram’s powerful voice and commanding stage presence.
Together, they wrote and recorded “Eternal Love,” which was released as a 7”
single on the Raymond Records label in 1967 (and subsequently featured on Jamaica to Toronto). Regardless of the
record’s deep soul and passionate performances—listen for Bent’s twanging
guitar and back up vocals—the record sank fast without radio or media support.
Despite a lack of record sales, the Sheiks were trailblazing Jamaican-Canadians
who brought their music throughout the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, even in
the face of racism, which the group unfortunately encountered on
occasion. After returning to Jamaica in the late 1960s for a series of
performances (replete with “psychedelic light show”), both Bent and Heedram (along
with Studio One alumni, drummer Joe Isaacs, and organ player Chris Scasserra) linked
up with American transplant and rock and roll pioneer Frank Motley as the
Hitch-Hikers featuring the Mighty Pope. Motley was active on Toronto’s bustling
Yonge Street strip, which was filled with nightclubs, strip bars, and record
stores, and where Bob Dylan first heard the Band, then performing as Levon and
the Hawks. The Hitch-Hikers not only performed popular funk, soul, and pop
covers by the like of Eddie Bo and the Beatles, but a series of Bent originals as
well: “A Stranger in your Own World,” “Memory Lane,” “Smile Maria Smile,” “You
Got the Green Light,” and his namesake “Hell Bent.” After Motley fell ill, the
group gradually went their separate ways. Bent and Heedram picked up a couple
of hippie musicians and formed the short-lived Wild Oats, but the unit never recorded.
Apart from a series of minor regional recordings, Bent focused on live work and
performed in Canada throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s. After returning to
Jamaica, Bent suffered a stroke and retired from the business. He returned to
Toronto in 2006 for the now legendary Jamaica to Toronto reunion concert and once
again sang back ups behind his musical brother Heedram on the mighty “Eternal
Love.” Bent reportedly passed away in his sleep last week in Jamaica and he
will be missed by many the world over. We send our best regards to his family
and loved ones and count ourselves very lucky to have met his acquaintance.
Val, we will miss your laughter and words over the coming years, but will champion your sound
forever!
Eternal love,
Sipreano
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